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Tampa Police List Risky Spots To Drive

By VALERIE KALFRIN

vkalfrin@tampatrib.com

Published: January 1, 2009

TAMPA - Winding lanes, multiple exits and impatient drivers make Memorial Highway near Interstate 275 one of the most dangerous areas in the city for motorists.

There have been eight crashes in the past 90 days at this spot, ranking it eighth among the city's 10 worst intersections, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

A traffic squad has patrolled Memorial Highway this week. On Tuesday, the squad issued about 70 citations, mostly for speeding, Davis said.

She said the squad chooses its areas of focus based on traffic crashes and complaints.

The worst is North Habana and West Hillsborough avenues, with 14 wrecks in the past 90 days, Davis said.

In general, two areas are hazardous to drivers: the Hillsborough Avenue corridor and Memorial Highway between the Courtney Campbell Parkway and the interstate.

With the latter, "people are trying to jump three to four lanes to exit around other people," Davis said.

TREACHEROUS INTERSECTIONS

Here is the Tampa Police Department's list of the most dangerous intersections, with the number of crashes within the past 90 days:

1) North Habana and West Hillsborough avenues, 14

2) North Florida and East Waters avenues, 9

3) North Himes and West Hillsborough avenues, 9

4) North Nebraska Avenue and East Busch Boulevard, 9

5) North Armenia and West Hillsborough avenues, 8

6) North Armenia and West Waters avenues, 8

7) West Kennedy Boulevard and South Dale Mabry Highway, 8

8) Memorial Highway and Interstate 275, 8

9) North 15th Street and East Fowler Avenue, 7